Apparently, at one of the anti-tax “tea parties” in Texas, people were shouting, “secede.  Secede.”  Which would have been bad enough, but then the governor raised the stakes by not quashing the idea out of hand.  While this whole thing is an over-reaction on the part of disenfranchised citizens, the whole idea intrigues me nonetheless.

Now before you get all up in arms thinking I’m advocating the secession of Texas from the union, let me state categorically that I think that would be a bad idea for everyone involved and I don’t think they should do it.  But here’s what I like as it relates to business:  We have a problem.  We need to find a solution.  I see so many times where ideas growing out of this need for a solution are quelled before they even get a chance at consideration.

The point I’m making here is I’ve seen good ideas grow out of hair-brained suggestions on so many occasions I don’t dismiss any idea as too crazy or too far out there.  I think it’s in everyone’s best interest to consider every option on the table, and say, “How can we twist this or turn it so it make s some sense?”  Often times the crazy idea morphs into a good idea.

So while I think secession from the union is a radical, crazy idea from the fringe, I also think exploring all the options is a good idea.  I think by twisting and turning this idea something might just grow out of it.  At the very least, it shows you’ve turned over every rock and considered every option (even the crazy ones.)

The likelihood of coming up with a good solution after considering ALL the options is much better than the solution you’re likely to come up with after just considering the sanitized options.  Don’t be afraid to explore the fringe.  (By the same token, don’t get sucked into the fringe.)  But don’t be afraid to look at what’s behind the curtain.  Viable, acceptable options may be lurking behind the fringe ideas if you just take a look.

Many things are too crazy to seriously engage in.  But almost nothing should be thrown out as too crazy to consider.  Doing so will broaden your horizons in a way nothing else could.   Again, many outstanding ideas grow out of taking a crazy, unacceptable possibility and morphing it into something that is.